Knowledge and Information Manager

Knowledge and Information Manager

• Do you want to shape how a global organisation moves from legacy paper practices to a modern, secure, AI‑ready information ecosystem?
• Lead the future of information at the heart of New Zealand’s global engagement
• Exceptional people leader who thrives at the intersection of information, organisational change, technology, and security.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is seeking an experienced Knowledge and Information Manager to lead a critical transformation that underpins New Zealand’s diplomacy, trade, and international presence.

About us - Mō mātou

Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous.  By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance New Zealand’s interests and pursue New Zealand's values.  We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world. 

Information is central to this mission — from managing highly sensitive diplomatic material to enabling staff to quickly find, trust, and reuse knowledge across a complex global network.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

Reporting to the Chief Data Officer, you will lead the Knowledge and Information function and play a pivotal role in modernising how MFAT creates, manages, and uses its information.

This is a leadership role with responsibility for:

• Leading and developing a high‑performing team of information professionals
• Driving the transition from paper‑based and legacy approaches to a modern SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365 enterprise content management environment
• Leading the design and governance of information structures that work across geographic, cultural, and security boundaries
• Ensuring MFAT information is discoverable, compliant, and future‑ready.

For more detail you can view a copy of the position description here.

The full salary range for this role is $127,417 and $172,387 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3.5% KiwiSaver employer contribution. We expect to appoint around the midpoint $149,902 depending on your level of experience.

Who are we looking for? - Mā‎ wai te mahi nei?

We’d like to hear from you if you are a strategic and pragmatic Information Leader  with the following skills and experience:

• People leadership: able to inspire trust, clarity, and confidence, building capability for the future
• Change leadership: Taking people with you — shifting behaviour, building confidence, and embedding modern information practices
• Understands how information management changes in a cloud‑based M365 environment, including SharePoint Online and Teams
• Leading work to structure, govern, and improve information so it can be responsibly and safely used by generative AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot
• Has credibility managing highly sensitive or classified information, balancing access, protection, and operational need
• Is comfortable operating where risk, security, technology, and culture intersect
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.   

Why MFAT? - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere?

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission.  Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging.  We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

To Apply/Interested? - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

For a confidential discussion please email Tracy Parsons at tracy.parsons@mfat.govt.nz

To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen, or Permanent Resident. 

You must be able to obtain and maintain a National Security Clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a National Security Clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 7th June 2026. 

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role.  This is a ‘Corporate’ role (known here as a Specialist role) based in central Wellington, NZ.  

While it is not usual for specialist staff to be ‘posted’ outside of NZ, from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.

If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.